What To Wear Over A Sleeveless Dress To A Wedding

The most fun thing about attending a wedding is deciding what to wear. However, you need to consider the dress code, find something in your budget, and make sure you won’t be too cold or too hot throughout the day. Nobody wants to spend an entire wedding celebration shivering, which is why, if you’ve opted for a sleeveless dress, you are going to want another layer. But what, exactly? Here are all of your options and some things to consider with this style of dress, too.

So, what can you wear over a sleeveless dress to a wedding? From boleros, blazers, and faux fur stoles, to a fancy sequinned jacket, you have many options to wear over a sleeveless dress to a wedding. There is actually very little that you can’t get away pairing with a stunning sleeveless dress; just make sure it matches your style and adheres to the wedding theme.

If you’re ready to rock that gorgeous sleeveless dress at your next wedding party, I have got the perfect cover-up options you will want to see. So, keep reading. 

What Can You Wear To Cover A Sleeveless Dress At A Wedding?

The last thing you want, after you have spent weeks looking for the perfect sleeveless dress, is to pick a cover-up that takes the shine off of your dress’s beauty.

Here are six cover-up options I know you are going to love. 

Blazer

You can never go wrong with a classic blazer. Keep it classic and sleek with a beautifully fitted blazer that shows off your figure, or add a cool little charm to your outfit with an oversized style. 

Stick to neutral colors if you want the color or pattern of your sleeveless dress to shine through.

Alternatively, if you have picked a neutral sleeveless dress, choose a bold blazer with a funky pattern or vivid color to give your wedding outfit that wow factor. 

Bolero

Boleros may have fallen out of fashion over the years, but they really are the perfect addition to a sleeveless dress if you are looking for an understated and cozy cover-up.

The cropped design of a bolero lets your dress do all the talking but gives you an extra layer around your shoulders if you expect cooler weather. 

For a light cover-up, choose a bolero in lace or 100% cotton. For an added layer of warmth, choose silk, rayon, or nylon fabrics to keep snug all day long. 

Kimono Jacket

Kimono jackets are one cover-up I really think doesn’t get half enough attention as they should.

Available in a cropped design and even waist or full-length styles, they are incredibly versatile. 

You can choose a block-colored kimono jacket, one with a bright and vivid color, or go for a traditional Japanese print to celebrate Japanese culture.

Plus, that flowy material can be perfectly wrapped around your body should the temperature start dropping. 

Faux Fur Stole

There is something gorgeously old Hollywood about a faux fur stole.

Plus, you’re bound to be extra snug with this fluffy layer draped over your shoulders.

Pairing a faux fur stole with your sleeveless dress is the easiest way of injecting some classic glamour into your outfit. 

Add even more glitz by choosing a stole that comes with a glitzy button closure, or go for something a little more understated, like a matching ribbon tie. 

Pashmina or Silk Wrap

The pashmina or silk wrap scarf is one of the most popular dress cover-up choices out there, and for good reason.

You can elegantly drape a pashmina over your elbows during the day, and once the night rolls in, you can shimmy it over your shoulders like a snug yet stylish blanket. 

You are not limited to fabrics either. You can pick a reasonably priced pashmina in cotton, silk, and wool.

However, you could also splash out a little for such an event and get yourself a super soft and cozy cashmere pashmina. 

Sequinned Jacket

Want to inject a little disco queen fever into your outfit, then you have to get a sequinned jacket.

Perhaps not the warmest option on this list, but definitely the boldest.

Make an impact on the dance floor as you shimmy, and the sequins reflect the disco lights.

Now, if bold sequins are a bit much, there are plenty of block and neutral-colored sequin jackets on the market.

A little bit more muted but just as fun. 

What Not To Wear To Cover A Sleeveless Dress At A Wedding

There is not much that you can not wear with a sleeveless dress.

However, for a wedding, there are a couple of options you might want to give a miss.

Here are three cover-ups that might not be wedding-worthy. 

Denim Jacket

The classic denim jacket goes with pretty much everything if you are looking for a more dressed-down feel.

Yet, for a wedding, a denim jacket cover-up may be a little too relaxed for a dressy do. 

If the dress code is pretty relaxed, you might get away with one.

However, I am sticking the denim jacket in the do not wear list because you can’t get it wrong if you don’t put it on. 

Winter Coat

No matter how cold it is, aside from a mid-winter Alaska wedding, a full-on winter coat with extra padding and a fur-lined hood may clash with your classic sleeveless dress.

That silhouette you shopped so hard for will end up smothered by a winter coat. 

However, the only time you should break this is if the weather is truly horrendous, and there is the possibility you could catch frostbite if you went sans a winter coat.

Casual Cardigan

OK, I know, many of these lists tell you a cardigan is perfect for wearing over a sleeveless dress to a wedding, but I am going to buck the trend here.

There are so many beautiful options other than an ill-fitting cardigan. 

You could totally bring a cardigan with you and throw it on as the evening gets cooler, but why do that when you can drape your shoulders with a fancy pashmina like a more social, less hermit-like Lady Haversham? 

Is It OK To Wear A Sleeveless Dress To A Wedding?

Of course, it is completely OK to wear a sleeveless dress to a wedding. In fact, a sleeveless dress can be classy, fashionable, and rather chic all at the same time. 

All I have to say is, if you feel like a queen in a sleeveless dress, you should wear it. 

If a sleeveless dress makes you uncomfortable and self-conscious, then you can definitely give it a miss, but I love the silhouette of a sleeveless dress for a wedding do. 

You may also reconsider this style if you are attending a really cold winter wedding, but for a spring or summer wedding, this is a fantastic dress style that will keep you cool all day long. 

Other Considerations When Wearing A Sleeveless Dress To A Wedding

So, you have decided to wear that gorgeous sleeveless dress to a wedding this year.

Here are a few things to keep in mind before you purchase and when you are choosing your dress.

Don’t Match The Bridal Party

This is a big one. You don’t want to look like you’re sneakily muscling your way into the bridal party by choosing a dress with a similar style and color.

The best thing you can do here is to have a quick word with the bride-to-be and see if there are any colors you should avoid. 

Now, that being said, it is not the end of the world if you do accidentally match the bridal party, but if you can avoid it, you’ll avoid a few red faces and awkward chuckles. 

Keep It Smart

No matter what cover-up you choose to wear over your sleeveless dress, you want it to be smart and match the wedding dress code.

First, if it is not printed on the invitations, ask the bride or groom if there is a dress code.

Knowing this can make it much easier to pick the perfect cover-up style.

Once you know the dress code, keep to a smart and classy style, regardless of the type of cover-up you choose.

You’ve spent ages choosing the perfect dress. You don’t want your cover-up to ruin your entire look.

Cold Evenings

The time of year and the average climate in the evenings will have a massive impact on what cover-up is perfect for you.

If the evenings are hot and humid, something light and breathable will be a good choice. 

However, if the nights get very cold, you might want to choose something like a stole that will keep your shoulders snug or a wool pashmina that you can wrap around your entire body as the evenings get colder.

Choosing The Perfect Cover-Up

There really are so many beautiful cover-up options for a sleeveless dress.

If anything, you might be overwhelmed a little with all of the options to begin with.

Use my tips to help you choose the perfect style, and don’t be afraid to have a little fun with it.

After all, a wedding is a perfect place to wear something a little glitzier than you usually would.